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Originally Posted by Txrayngers
Hi, I am going to be in the DR and am very interested in a day trip to Haiti while I am there. Please let me know if there is a safe/cost efficient way to do this. Also, please let me know if it is advisable for a gringo to cross the border. I am willing to take SOME risk, but am not up for an ASSURED robbery/assault.
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Pros about Haiti:
1. They have a giant fortress known as Feririe (spelling?) or La Citadel close to Cap-Haitien. This fortress is a marvel of African engineering, since it was built under the rule of the Haitian King Henri Christophe. It's the most incredible structure due to its immense size and also the fact that its balance on top of a hill, as if it was no big deal! Really impressive.
2. Not too far away is the ruins of the Sans Souci Palace. It is a ruin, but one can still get a good idea of the place.
3. The centers of Port-au-Prince, Jacmel (especially Jacmel), and Cap-Haitien still have many French Colonial buildings standing. Many look like if they are about the collapse, but none the less, some are of exceptional quality, especially the palaces and mansions that line the streets of Jacmel. Of course, Haiti is not tourist oriented and as such, these historical centers which could easily rival that of Santo Domingo, if they were maintained and restored and could easily become major attractions are not well maintained today. It almost hurt to see such grand structures and architecture on the brink of dissapearing because of neglect. Haiti has plenty of potential, but their habit of creating revolutions that simply leads to other revolutions has kept those people in extreme misery for the past 200 years.
4. It's a totally different country, unique in the Western Hemisphere. It has a vibrant culture, hospitable people, and overall, its an experience that is not easily forgetable.
Cons of Haiti:
1. They are in a virtual civil unrest at the moment.
2. The lack of even the most basic services (services that are readily available in the DR, though some are sporadic, but available none-the-less) makes life in Haiti hard and makes traveling within the country tidious. For one thing, most major roads in Haiti are little more than dirt tracks. There are no Autovia del Este or Autopista Duarte equivalent in Haiti. The buses are crowded, smelly, and uncomfortable. There are no luxury coach buses like Metro or Caribe Tours, except for Terrabus which has a bus link from Petionville, Haiti to Santo Domingo. However, the Tap Taps are very colorful and have messages painted on them which are based on bible verses. Also, the open sewers, lack of sanitation, etc in all areas is an unpleasant surprise. The development that exist in the DR (as uneven as it is) simply does not exist in Haiti. The contrast becomes visible at the border, when paved roads become rubble, electricity pilons stop at the border, and verdant green countryside becomes barren and futureless.
3. There are things of you that will catch the attention of many Haitians. If you are white or light skin, you will attract attention. In Haiti, people perceive whites, light skin, and foreigners as all being rich, even if they are Dominicans. There is a few Haitians who believe that as "rich" as foreigners are, that Haitians are entitled to take some away from the visitors (ie. steal). Most Haitians are respectful of your belongings, but be weary of those who are not. Its not just skin color, also the way you dress and overall look can be detect by Haitians all around. They will refer to you as "blanc" which in French means white. This term in Haiti refers to both, whites and foreigners, even if you are as dark as most of them are, you will be referred to as a "blanc". Also, if they perceive that you are wealthy, they will also refer to you as a "blanc".
4. There are diseases there that are not as widespread or even exist in the DR. Keep up to date what vaccinations and precautions to take.
In short, Haiti is an interesting country, but its not a typical country. Most countries in the Caribbean have plenty of similarities with other Caribbean nations, such as the three Spanish speaking nations are different but the same in so many ways. The other islands of the Caribbean also can be related to each other in such fashion, but Haiti is on a league all of its own, both good and bad. This is important to keep in mind, because not doing so could greatly overwhelm even the most adverture oriented person.
It's an interesting country.
About going there now, just follow the advise from others here.
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Haiti
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